Pacific Fleet Procuracy: Vysotsky admitted Nerpa's commander guilty

17.08.2011 Pacific Fleet (PF) Procuracy released information that Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky appearing as a witness in the Nerpa case trial had taken a side with official prosecution. Defenders of Capt 1 rank D. Lavrentiev and Petty Officer D. Grobov expounded Vysotsky's evidence voluntarily with a view to present the tragedy to advantage of accused servicemen, says release of PF Procuracy.

"The defense referring to lawyer Sergei Bondar distorted documents and evidences investigated at closed judicial sessions, including those of Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral V. Vysotsky who supported official prosecution charging the submarine commanding officer Capt 1 rank Dmitry Lavrentiev of violations related with the crew training process", says the release.

It was reported different things earlier. "The admiral interceded for his subordinates saying that the firefighting system could be activated by civilian experts who were onboard the sub then", wrote Izvestiya.

"We consider comments of defense regarding merits of the case inadmissible and encroaching basic principles of justice, including impartiality of jury court", says the procuracy.

Recall that in Nov 2008 twenty persons died as a result of unauthorized operation of firefighting system in SSN Nerpa. The reason was freon gas which contained extraneous toxic agents. The sub's commanding officer Capt 1 rank Dmitry Lavrentiev and hold engineer Petty Officer 2nd Class Dmitry Grobov.

Judicial process on the Nerpa case started in Apr 2011. Dmitry Lavrentiev is charged of excess of service power resulted in grievous consequences – death of two and more persons by negligence (clause 286/3, RF Criminal Code, provides imprisonment for the term up to 10 years).